Since 2002 my Department has allocated over €90 million in capital grants to assist local authorities in the provision of recycling and recovery infrastructure, including bring bank networks, civic amenity sites, materials recovery, composting and biological treatment facilities. This is provided from a number of sources including the Exchequer, the European Regional Development Fund and the Environment Fund, and is normally on the basis of my Department meeting 75% of the cost and the relevant local authority funding the balance.
Projects for which grants have been allocated can take a number of years to complete as they go through the various project stages, e.g. design, planning, construction, and consequently claims will be submitted and monies paid typically over a number of years. In 2006, in respect of projects for which moneys have been drawn down from the Environment Fund, a total grant allocation of €11,813,836 has been provided by my Department.